Weak sense of coherence predicts depression: 1-year and 9-year follow-ups of the Finnish Outcomes of Depression International Network (ODIN) sample

Abstract

Background. Previous studies show conflicting results on the role of weak sense of coherence (SOC) as a risk factor for depression.

Aims. The aim of this work was to study whether a weak SOC predicts depressive symptoms in a non-depressive population sample in the short or long perspective.

Method. Participants without depressive symptoms (n = 1645) in the Finnish sample of the Outcomes of Depression International Network (ODIN) study were assessed at 1-year and 9-year follow-up. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and SOC by the 13-item Orientation to Life Questionnaire (SOC-13). Logistic regression analysis was used to test the association between baseline SOC and depressive symptoms measured at the follow-ups.

Results. In univariate analysis, there was a significant inverse association between baseline SOC and depressive symptoms at 1 year (p = 0.000) and at 9 years (p = 0.000). In multivariate analysis, weak SOC continued to predict depressive symptoms at 1 year (p = 0.022) and 9 years (p = 0.015).

Conclusions. Weak SOC predicted depressive symptoms in the short and long perspective. It seems likely that a strong SOC represents a protective function, not only absence of current depression.

Keywords:

• Sense of coherence
• depression
• prospective study

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.